Somerville proposes new nonunion pay framework with $65,000 minimum; councilors press for elected and commission pay changes

Somerville — City human resources and budget officials presented a proposed nonunion classification and compensation plan to the Finance Committee on Jan. 30 that would reorganize job grades into six pay bands, create separate tracks for credentialed professions and raise the minimum starting salary in the lowest band to $65,000 per year.

“The beginning compensation for [band 1] will be $65,000 per year,” Anne Gill, Somerville’s director of human resources, told councilors. Gill described the study as a multi‑year, consultant‑led effort that evaluated approximately 575 unique positions, used a 13‑criteria job evaluation, and compared Somerville to a set of peer municipalities. The study’s core goals, Gill said, were clarity, equity and improved recruitment and retention.

Nut graf: The administration’s proposal would significantly boost pay at the low end of the nonunion scale and create new professional tracks for credentialed fields (an “S‑track” for roles requiring specific credentials and an “M‑track” for licensed engineers and solicitors). The plan also proposes stipends or pay adjustments for some boards and commissions, while recommending no change to city…